Vegetable prices drop to decade low

Prices of perishable products like potato and vegetable, primarily marketed by the peasantry, have dropped to their lowest levels since 2013-14, providing much-needed relief to consumers.

However, this relief has been upset by continued volatility in edible oil and rice markets, according to traders concerned.

Vegetable prices hit a significant low last week, with cauliflower retailed at as low as Tk 10 by vendors transporting produce in rickshaw vans.

In kitchen markets, cauliflower was sold at Tk 15-25 per piece. Similarly, prices of cabbage, radish, tomatoes, country beans, and turnips have also seen a drastic decline, benefiting consumers but causing distress among farmers.

Cabbage price followed the trend as radish sold at Tk 15-20 per kg, turnip at Tk 25-30, tomato and cucumber at Tk 30-40, country bean at Tk 30-50, coriander leaf at Tk 60-80, green chilli at Tk 60-80 and leafy vegetables at Tk 5.0-15 per bunch.

According to the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM), prices at the farmers' end were even lower, with cauliflower priced at a maximum of Tk 6.0 apiece, radish at Tk 4.0 per kg, tomato at Tk 10-12, cucumber at Tk 8.0-10, turnip at Tk 8.0-12, country bean at Tk 14-22 and chilli at Tk 18-30, according to DAM.

Potato is now available in Dhaka's markets at Tk 20-30 per kg, while they are priced at Tk 10-12 per kg in growing districts. Onion prices have also dropped to Tk 35-50 per kg based on quality, compared to Tk 18-26 per kg at farmers' end.

A DAM official says current vegetable prices have fallen to such levels in 2013. Retail prices for most vegetables were above Tk 70 a kg in December 2024.

Ismail Ali, a vendor at Mohammadpur Krishi Market, says vegetable and potato prices are significantly lower this year compared to 2024, when prices remained high throughout the year.

Potato prices surged to Tk 80 per kg and tomato rose to Tk 260-300.

Earlier, the interim government was forced to intervene in the potato market by reducing import duties and allowing the import of 0.2-million tonnes of potato.

This early influx of imported potato into the domestic market has contributed to the current price decline.

Additionally, the government recently opened nine more land ports for potato imports, further impacting the market.

Meanwhile, vegetable, potato and onion production in the country has shown promising prospects.

The Department of Agricultural Extension targets that over 14.1-million tonnes of vegetables to be harvested in the ongoing Rabi season (November to mid-March), with experts optimistic about achieving this year's production targets.

However, the edible oil market has become volatile once again.

Most refiners have halted the supply of soybean oil to groceries, leading to shortages in many stores across the capital.

Unscrupulous traders are reportedly selling counterfeit products at Tk 185-190 per litre, while loose soybean oil is being traded at Tk 180-185. Palm oil is being sold at Tk 175-180 per litre in Dhaka's kitchen markets.

Refiners previously fixed the price of bottled soybean oil at Tk 175 a litre following a government agreement on December 16, marking a hike of Tk 8.0.

Loose soybean oil and high-quality palm oil were priced at Tk 170 per litre.

However, consumers were able to buy bottled soybean at the agreed price for only two to three weeks before supplies dried up, leaving them frustrated.

Meanwhile, Consumers Association of Bangladesh vice-president SM Nazer Hossain says prices of the items supplied by farmers have dropped to record lows, while essentials marketed by importers-cum-traders are skyrocketing.

Prices of wheat, sugar, edible oil, pulses and rice have been on an upward trend for months. He has criticised the government for not taking stricter measures to break the oligopoly in the import-based essential market.

Mr Hossain put great emphasis on the need for at least 500 importers to be given an opportunity to bring products from abroad to help ensure fair competition and stabilise prices.

Dr Wais Kabir, former executive chairman of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council, says there is an urgent need for state support to compensate vegetable farmers who contribute significantly to the nation's food surplus.

He suggests that 2.0-million vegetable farmers be provided with Tk 5,000 in cash as compensation to encourage them to continue their vital work.

He also recommends establishing a better value chain by setting up quality cold storage facilities and cool chains to improve the management of vegetables and other perishable goods.

Meanwhile, prices of staple items such as rice, broiler chicken, beef, mutton, and both cultured and indigenous fish remain at their previous highs.

Coarse rice is scarce in Dhaka and sold at Tk 60-62 per kg, medium-quality rice at Tk 68-72 and finer rice at Tk 85-98 in mainstream markets.

tonmoy.wardad@gmail.com